Alternative Training Focus while Recovering from Injuries

When we were young - our tend to recover from our injury faster but as we aged - our body work slower and the body recovery processs period take longer time.

Since early of April 2010, I have been forcing myself to go for my Taekwondo training session but after each training session - my knee condition became worst until, I cannot even do a simple turning kick or side kick as the pain was unbearable.

I consulting my TKD instructor and she recommended I stop from regular training session. My other team-mate also supported her recommendation .... mentioning that I should take care of my knee. I totally agreed with them because of the pain!! But then I started to think about other alternative training that does not require me to do any kicks ...

I remember my 1st TKD instructor (in 1986) always told me that TKD is about using both your hand and leg in self-defense and during that time punching to the body was allow in competition. I decided that I will focus on my upper-body training and weight training.

Since then my regular training focus was: -

• Tue & Thu : conditioning my hands and knuckles; speed punching; blocking; and striking.
• Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun: 30 minutes of gym work-out (focus on upper body and mid section).

After 4 weeks of going tru' the "focus training" - I started to see the benefits of "alternative training focus" and giving time for our body to heal and recover from injuries.

Five Mistakes Made By Martial Arts Masters

Today, I received an email from the President of IMAMS (International Martial Arts Management System). After reading his email, it re-enforce my believe ... that most MASTERs, they like to do things own their own and avoid "networking" with other martial arts school. They tend to market their school as teaching self defense technique rather than fitness, health, descipline etc.

Here is the article which I would like to share with ....  entitled "Five Martial Arts Management Mistakes Made By Dojo Masters" ... by IMAMS

Based on his finding - the 5 common mistakes committed by the owners of martial arts schools are .....

1) Not Being Yourself

If you are opening a martial arts school, most of your credibility and reputation will rest with who YOU are and what defines your martial arts philosophy. Without a clear vision or mission, potential students will be unclear about what you represent or what they will learn. Even more troubling, if you misrepresent yourself while trying to be who you think potential students want you to be, your students will become disenchanted and leave.

2) Chasing Customers

You can target customers with marketing. You can make offers to potential students. But chasing customers can make you seem desperate. You want people to come to you but the trick is to go to the customer without looking like you are grabbing at them. Marketing and contact with potential customers should always be done with confidence and constraint.

3) Deriding “Business”

You want to be a “teacher”, a “mentor”, but you think you are debasing yourself or your art by actually earning an income on your art. However, look at it from this perspective: shouldn’t a responsible and ethical dojo master provide a thriving and reliable school?

The students need to be secure about the fact that their dojo isn’t going to fold and disappear next month. They need the reassurance that their school is stable and they can then share in the pride of becoming part of something successful.

Further, how many of the world’s top masters – the ones that are heads of giant organizations – actually teach for free? None.

4) Not Networking

Some martial arts masters like to see themselves as the “go it alone” kind of person, solitary and able to handle everything on their own. But when it comes to running a successful dojo, you must let everyone in your community know about you.

The people running the local gym should know your name and your school. The local schools should be familiar with your program. The local business community should recognize you as a sound businessperson.

To sit in your school and never become a member of the community is a big mistake.

5) Starting Too Big

Many Black Belts who want to open their own school think they have to, or even can, open a big school and students will instantly thrive to the dojo just because it is this big, open, fancy place. The reality is that no one will ever see the inside of your school unless you manage to properly market to them and get them there.

Even if you do, you can go broke in the first year paying the huge rent and loan you may have taken out to open the school.

Between Coaching and Learning

When I started learning Taekwondo (TKD) at the age of 14 years old, I always thought that when I obtain my black belt - I will be able to train others like my Taekwondo coach but I was dead wrong.

Being a black belt in Taekwando does not earn you the skills and knowledge in coaching others. Even if you attended a Taekwondo Coaching course, it won't prepare you for a career or part-time career in "training" people in Taekwondo. Coaching is a totally x 2 different game and require a different mindset, skills and knowledge. You need a lot of energy and motivation when facing your students.

During one of my six (6) month "break" from the corporate HR life - my Taekwondo coach (a lady) - offered me the opportunity to work as a part-time "assistant instructor". I took the $11 per hour offer immediately.

it was a very different experience, the transition of being a TKD black belt student to an assistant TKD instructor.

As an instructor: -

• you need to know "who" is your student (either adults or children) and apply different training methodology;
• you need to be able to transfer your knowledge to your student;
• you need to motivate them and most important of all - give them the confident to perform a movement or a kick;
• for children - getting their attention and focus is a priority;
• for adults - focus on the techniques is the main priority and it is always good to find-out their past injury or health problem - don't push them too much!

I hope by sharing this experiences, those who want to be a TKD / martial arts  coach or instructor will be more prepared!

p/s - the pay is not that great but the satisfaction is some thing that no body can take away from you.